RAND Congressional Briefing Series

Built to Last: Planning and Funding Resilient Infrastructure Dec 17, 2019

Debra Knopman and Sarah Weilant provide an overview of a December 6th congressional briefing on how federal transportation projects can incorporate resilience into infrastructure planning.

Preparing for the Future of Fentanyl Sep 26, 2019

Bryce Pardo and Beau Kilmer provide an overview of a September 13th congressional briefing. They discuss the various factors contributing to opioid overdose crisis in the United States.

Principal Pipelines: A Feasible, Affordable, and Effective Way to Improve Schools Jul 02, 2019

A recent RAND report found that implementing "principal pipelines"—a strategic approach to the hiring, preparation, evaluation, and support of school leaders—can improve schools. In this congressional briefing, Susan Gates discusses the feasibility, effectiveness, and affordability of principal pipelines.

Approaches to Counter Russian Social Media Influence Mar 28, 2019

Elizabeth Bodine-Baron discusses the challenges facing current measures underway by Department of Homeland Security and Department of State to combat this threat; proposed approaches, as well as unintended consequences and drawbacks; and recommendations for policymakers.

What Are the Potential Impacts of Single-Payer Health Care? Feb 01, 2019

Jodi Liu discusses key characteristics of single-payer health care proposals and their potential impact; common misconceptions and areas of uncertainty; and plan details and implementation decisions that would affect impacts, including the cost of care, changes in total spending, and provider payment.

Protecting Consumer Data: Considerations for Congress Jun 08, 2018

Rebecca Balebako and John S. Davis discuss the benefits and risks of data sharing, opportunities for protecting privacy at both the personal and industry level, current U.S. laws and how they compare to European laws, and policy options for Congress.

Overcoming the Threats of Our Strategic Competitors Mar 27, 2018

David Ochmanek discusses challenges posed to U.S. force planning by China, Russia, North Korea, Iran, and Salafist-Jihadi groups; and weapon systems and posture enhancements that could potentially overcome those challenges.

Fixing What's Broken with Infrastructure Policy: Options for Congress Jan 24, 2018

An infrastructure bill is on the agenda for Congress, but what problems would it fix? In this RAND Congressional Briefing, Debra Knopman discusses policies that promote and deter investment and maintenance of water and transportation infrastructure.

Equifax and the Data-Breach Era: How Worried Should We Be? Oct 26, 2017

Large-scale data breaches like those of Equifax and OPM compromised the personal data of millions of people. What can be done to improve the response to such breaches?

North Korea's Continuous Provocations Jul 17, 2017

In this July 17th, 2017 congressional briefing, Bruce W. Bennett, Senior International/Defense Researcher, discusses North Korea's nuclear missile programs, its changing relationship with China, and implications for U.S. policy.

States vs. the Federal Government: Marijuana Legalization in the United States Jun 09, 2017

In this June 9th, 2017 congressional briefing, Beau Kilmer, codirector of the RAND Drug Policy Research Center, provides an overview of recent changes in marijuana policies as well as options for the federal government.

Informing Investments in High-Quality Preschool May 05, 2017

Lynn Karoly presents findings from her research, which compiles the most reliable evidence concerning the effects of high-quality preschool programs on participating children and the associated costs, benefits, and economic returns.

Repeal, Replace, Repair, or Improve? The Future of the ACA Mar 17, 2017

RAND senior economist Christine Eibner discusses the use of economic modeling to predict how individuals and employers will respond to major health care policy changes as the new administration reassesses the Affordable Care Act.

Getting to Yes with China in Cyberspace: Is It Possible? May 12, 2016

In this May 2016 congressional briefing, RAND experts Scott W. Harold and Martin Libicki discuss the differing perspectives and interests of the United States and China in cyberspace.

Meeting the Health Care Needs of America's Veterans: A Summary of Three RAND Assessments Conducted Under the Veterans Choice Act Feb 18, 2016

Senior policy researcher Carrie Farmer discusses RAND's findings from three assessments conducted under the Veterans Choice Act.

Lessening the Risk of Refugee Radicalization Feb 16, 2016

Senior political scientist Barbara H. Sude discusses historical examples of radicalization among refugee groups, factors that can increase the risk of radicalization, measures to reduce the risk, and considerations for policymakers and legislators.

United States and China: Trends in Military Competition Oct 14, 2015

Eric Heginbotham discusses relative U.S. and Chinese military capabilities, including the evolution of Chinese military capabilities and steps the United States can take to limit the impact of a growing Chinese military on deterrence.

Lessons from a Hacker: Cyber Concepts for Policymakers Oct 01, 2015

In this September 2015 congressional briefing, RAND's Lillian Ablon discusses the basics of cyber and information security and provides insights into some of the complexities of cybersecurity policymaking.

Strategic Rethink: Choices for America in a Turbulent World Aug 06, 2015

Ambassador James Dobbins discusses the report he coauthored with Howard Shatz and David Ochmanek, Choices for America in a Turbulent World.

The Use of Long-Range Armed Drones: Fact v. Myth Mar 10, 2015

A panel of RAND experts discuss the effect of armed drones on global warfare, whether U.S. policy on armed drones shapes the way other nations deploy them, and the sale of armed drones to allies.

Reauthorizing ESEA: Congress' Role in Improving Assessments, Accountability, and Teaching Effectiveness Feb 18, 2015

Education experts at RAND discuss the limitations of current accountability policies and how a reauthorized Elementary and Secondary Education Act could promote more effective policies.

Premium Tax Credits and the Affordable Care Act: The Potential Ramifications of King v. Burwell Feb 03, 2015

Christine Eibner discusses the role of premium tax credits in ensuring stability in the individual health insurance marketplace and the ramifications of King v. Burwell on the Affordable Care Act.

Insights About Marijuana Legalization in the United States Jan 21, 2015

In this January 2015 Congressional Briefing, RAND researchers Beau Kilmer and Jonathan Caulkins present an overview of their new report, Considering Marijuana Legalization: Insights for Vermont and Other Jurisdictions.

Congressional Options and Their Likely Consequences for a Nuclear Deal with Iran Dec 16, 2014

In this December 2014 Congressional Briefing, Larry Hanauer identifies and assesses eight potential courses of action that Congress could take that might either facilitate, hinder, or block implementation of a nuclear deal with Iran.

The Future of the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act: Expiration, Reauthorization, Modification Jun 11, 2014

In this June 2014 Congressional Briefing, RAND experts presented findings from their recent work on the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act (TRIA) and discuss the different outcomes if TRIA were to be reauthorized, modified, or allowed to expire.

Israeli, Saudi, and Iranian Responses in the Days After a Deal With Iran: What Are the U.S. Options? Jun 04, 2014

A panel of Middle East experts discuss concerns about Iran of two key U.S. partners; the internal dynamics and motivations of the Iranian government; and U.S. policy options to craft a sustainable nuclear agreement with Iran.

Hidden Heroes: America's Military Caregivers May 15, 2014

In this May 15th Congressional Briefing, Terri Tanielian and Rajeev Ramchand present the challenges today's military caregivers face, and what Congress and others can do to support them.

Do Joint Fighter Programs Save Money? Mar 28, 2014

In this March 28th Congressional Briefing, Mark Lorell discusses how the need to accommodate different service requirements into a single jet fighter design or common design family leads to increased program complexity and cost growth.

"Self Driving" Vehicles: Great Benefits, but Barriers to Widespread Adoption Mar 24, 2014

In this March 24th 2014 Congressional Briefing, James Anderson discusses the advantages and disadvantages of autonomous vehicles, current obstacles with adoption, and actions policymakers can take.

Correctional Education: How Effective Is It and What Can We Do to Make It Better? Feb 18, 2014

In this February 2014 Congressional Briefing, Lois M. Davis shares results from a new RAND study on correctional education, conducted for the Bureau of Justice Assistance, U.S. Department of Justice and funded under the Second Chance Act of 2007.

Making Sense of Nuclear Negotiations with Iran: A Good Deal or a Bad Deal? Jan 22, 2014

In this January 2014 Congressional Briefing, a panel of experts discusses the negotiations between Iran and the P5+1 that have resulted in a first-step agreement of a possible comprehensive deal on the Iranian nuclear program.

The Future of Mobility: Transportation 2030 Dec 03, 2013

In this December 2013 Congressional Briefing, Johanna Zmud and Peter Phleps illustrate two distinct scenarios for the future of mobility 17 years from now and how choices that policymakers make today will affect the future of mobility in America.

Preparing for North Korean Regime Collapse Oct 16, 2013

Bruce Bennett discusses the possible consequences of a North Korean government collapse, including civil war in the north, a humanitarian crisis, and the potential use and proliferation of the nation's chemical, biological, and nuclear weapons.

Egypt and the Question of U.S. Assistance Jul 25, 2013

In this July 2013 Congressional Briefing, Jeffrey Martini, Middle East analyst for the RAND Corporation, moderates a panel of experts to discuss what role U.S. assistance should play in the future of Egypt.

Mapping Egyptian Politics: Where Is Egypt Heading and What Does That Mean for the United States? Mar 22, 2013

Jeffrey Martini discusses data from Egyptian elections in the post-Mubarak era. After his presentation, he is joined for a panel discussion by Michele Dunn from the Atlantic Council and Samer S. Shehata from Georgetown University.

Adapting to Climate Change on the Coast: Lessons from Louisiana for Federal Policy Jan 23, 2013

In this January 2013 Congressional Briefing, Jordan Fischbach discusses how RAND helped Louisiana develop its 2012 Coastal Master Plan and key lessons that can make other communities more resilient in the face of natural disasters.

Skin in the Game: How Consumer-Directed Health Plans Can Affect the Cost and Use of Health Care Dec 10, 2012

In this December 2012 Congressional Briefing, Amelia Haviland presents the results of several RAND studies on cost and quality in consumer-directed health plans, and explores how switching plans affects the quality of care.

What Are the Prospects for Democratization in the Arab World? Oct 10, 2012

In this October 2012 Congressional Briefing, Laurel Miller and Jeffrey Martini discuss the challenges to democratization that Arab countries are likely to face in coming years and how the international community can help overcome such challenges.

Marijuana Legalization: What We Know and What We Don't Jul 17, 2012

In this July 2012 Congressional Briefing, researchers from the RAND Drug Policy Research Center discuss marijuana legalization, how it differs from decriminalization, its possible consequences, and federal response to state initiatives.

Prisoner Reentry and Public Health: Is Your State Ready? Jun 21, 2012

Lois Davis discusses the health care needs of prisoners who reenter the general population and the roles that health care providers, other social services, and family members play in successful reentry.

How to Defuse Iran's Nuclear Threat: Bolster Diplomacy, Israeli Security, and the Iranian Citizenry Jun 07, 2012

In this June 2012 Congressional Briefing, a panel of RAND experts -- Lynn Davis, James Dobbins, and Alireza Nader -- discuss nuclear negotiations and the long-term prospects for Iranian relations with Israel and the United States

The Elementary and Secondary Education Act: Maintaining Accountability and Nurturing Innovation Through a Reauthorized ESEA May 22, 2012

In this May 2012 briefing, RAND experts offer recommendations on ways to strengthen the Elementary and Secondary Education Act in light of a renewed push in Congress for reauthorization.

Information Sharing for Cyber-Security: Evidence from Europe May 07, 2012

Neil Robinson presents evidence from studies conducted in Europe regarding cyber-security and information exchange, specifically between information sharing and analysis centers, computer emergency response teams, and cyber-crime police.

The Outlook for U.S.-Russian Relations in Putin's Third Term Apr 11, 2012

In this April 2012 Congressional Panel Briefing, Andrew Weiss, director of the RAND Center for Russia and Eurasia, moderates a discussion on the future of U.S. - Russian relationships during Putin's third term.

Defense Spending Efficiencies Mar 29, 2012

On March 29, Congressman Adam Smith, Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Committee, discussed the federal budget deficit and its likely impact on national security programs.

Cyberdeterrence and Cyberwar Feb 22, 2012

In this February 2012 Congressional Briefing, Martin Libicki discusses why traditional warfighting techniques cannot be blindly applied to cyberspace, and actions the United States can take to protect itself in the event of a cyberattack.

Global HIV Programs at the Crossroads: How Can Donor Funding Be Optimized? Dec 20, 2011

In this December 2011 Congressional Briefing, Gery Ryan discusses policy options and recommendations on how to most effectively fund HIV treatment initiatives throughout the world.

VA Mental Health Care: How Good Is It and How Can We Make It Better? Dec 05, 2011

Katherine Watkins discusses the VA's capacity to deliver care to veterans with mental health and substance use disorders and the quality of the care that is delivered.

How Does Growth in Health Care Costs Affect the American Family? Oct 04, 2011

In this October 2011 Congressional Briefing, Art Kellermann presents a breakdown of how U.S. health care cost growth directly affects the finances of a typical American family.

The Public Health System Since 9/11: Progress Made and Challenges Remaining Aug 24, 2011

In light of Congress's upcoming discussion about reauthorizating the Pandemic All-Hazards Preparedness Act, five RAND experts discuss the significant ways in which the U.S. public health system has improved since 9/11 and also list areas for improvement.

The Long Shadow of 9/11: America's Response to Terrorism Jul 26, 2011

On July 26, 2010, RAND experts discussed the military, political, fiscal, social, cultural, psychological, and moral implications of U.S. policymaking since the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

How Police Departments' Post-9/11 Focus on Counterterrorism and Homeland Security Has Affected Their Capacity to Fight Crime Jul 22, 2011

In this July 2011 Congressional Briefing, Lois Davis discusses adjustments made by law enforcement agencies to strengthen their counterterrorism and homeland security capabilities, and the new funding challenges faced by police departments since 9/11.

Nurturing the Arab Spring: What Can Be Done to Remove Existing Barriers to Freedom of Expression in the Arab World? Jun 15, 2011

RAND researchers discuss the growing body of creative works produced by Arab authors and artists that counter the intellectual and ideological underpinnings of violent extremism and factors that thwart the distribution of such works.

The War Within: Preventing Suicide in the U.S. Military May 18, 2011

In this May 2011 Congressional Briefing, behavioral scientist Rajeev Ramchand presents RAND research and analysis on recent increases in suicides among members of the U.S. military.

A New Way to Pay for Transportation: Exploring a Shift from Fuel Taxes to Mileage-Based User Fees Apr 27, 2011

In this April 2011 Congressional Briefing, Liisa Ecola discusses approaches to funding and conducting system trials designed to help policy and decisionmakers better understand the benefits and trade-offs of mileage-based user fees.

Partners in Preparedness: How Governments Can Leverage the Strengths of NGOs in Disaster Preparedness, Response, and Recovery Mar 15, 2011

In this March 2011 Congressional Briefing, behavioral scientist Joie Acosta shares action plans and policy recommendations that emerged from a community conference held on the fifth anniversary of Hurricane Katrina.

Unique Educational Games for Financial Literacy Nov 09, 2010

In this November 2010 Congressional Briefing, Timothy Flacke and Nick Maynard from the nonprofit D2D Fund discuss the value of financial entertainment as an educational tool, demonstrate two brand-new games, and describe plans to test their effectiveness.

Rebuilding Haiti Oct 19, 2010

RAND experts discuss how the billions of dollars in aid pledged to help Haiti rebuild after the January earthquake can be used to create a resilient state that is capable of responding effectively to natural disasters.

The Quality of Care for Patients Dying in the Hospital: Areas for Improvement Suggest Fundamental Problem in U.S. Health Care Sep 15, 2010

In this September 2010 Congressional Briefing, Neil Wenger describes a yearlong study on improving end-of-life care that can help policymakers address payment systems and other issues pertaining to quality of care for critically ill patients.

Improving Performance-Based Accountability for Public Services Aug 10, 2010

Brian Stecher presents evidence about the effectiveness of performance-based accountability systems in five sectors: child care, education, health care, public health emergency preparedness, and transportation.

Civilian Defense Forces in Afghanistan Jul 26, 2010

Counterterrorism expert Arturo Munoz discusses the viability of establishing civilian defense forces to complement Afghan National Security Forces in this May 10, 2010, Congressional Briefing.

Marijuana Legalization: Projected Revenues, Costs, and Effects on Price and Use in California Jul 13, 2010

The codirector of the RAND Drug Policy Research Center discusses the projected revenues, costs, and effects on price and use that may come from legalizing, regulating, and taxing marijuana in California.

Cash Incentives and Military Enlistment, Attrition, and Reenlistment Jun 15, 2010

In this Congressional Briefing, held on June 14, 2010, James Hosek and Beth Asch describe the effect of enlistment and reenlistment bonuses on military recruitment and retention efforts and on attrition.

Improving the Energy Performance of Buildings: Learning from the European Union and Australia Apr 13, 2010

In this April 12, 2010, Congressional Briefing, Ambassador Charles Ries discusses lessons the United States could learn from the experiences of the European Union and Australia in driving energy efficiency in the building sector.

Surface Transportation Finance: The End of User Financing or a New Beginning? Mar 09, 2010

Martin Wachs and Paul Sorensen discuss alternative funding streams for highway and public transportation improvements that Congress can consider as it focuses on the pending reauthorization of the federal transportation bill.

Children on the Home Front: The Experiences of Children from Military Families Mar 02, 2010

Anita Chandra shares findings from the largest study to date on how children whose parents serve in the U.S. military are faring academically, socially, and emotionally during this extended period of wartime.

The Impact of Deployment on the Post-Deployment Labor Market Earnings of Reservists Nov 10, 2009

David Loughran presents findings about whether reservists who served in Iraq and Afghanistan suffer economic hardship in their post-deployment years because of lost civilian work experience, injury, and other difficulties adjusting to civilian work life.

Ending Social Promotion: Examining the Effects of NYC's 5th-Grade Promotion Policy Oct 20, 2009

Jennifer McCombs and Lou Mariano discuss RAND's recently published evaluation of a test-based promotion policy implemented by the New York City Department of Education.

The H1N1 Pandemic: Lessons Learned from the Cities Readiness Initiative Sep 15, 2009

Christopher Nelson and Edward Chan discuss the Cities Readiness Initiative, which helps the nation's largest metropolitan areas develop the ability to rapidly deliver life-saving medications and other medical supplies to their populations.

Options for Controlling Health Care Spending in Massachusetts Aug 19, 2009

In this August 2009 Congressional Briefing, Christine Eibner presents findings about which strategies to reduce health care spending in Massachusetts are most (and least) promising.

Reparable Harm: Assessing Disparities Faced by Boys and Men of Color in California Aug 11, 2009

In this August 2009 Congressional Briefing, Rebecca Kilburn discusses disparities for boys and men of color relative to their white counterparts across specific socioeconomic, health, safety, and school readiness indicators in California.

The Economic Cost of Methamphetamine Use in the United States Jul 14, 2009

In this Congressional Briefing held on July 13, 2009, Rosalie Liccardo Pacula presents the results of the first comprehensive national assessment of the annual economic burden posed by methamphetamine use.

Engaging Iran: Opportunities and Obstacles Jun 09, 2009

In this Congressional Briefing held on June 8, 2009, Ambassador David Aaron, director of the RAND Center for Middle East Public Policy, moderates a discussion on Iran, one of the United States’ most critical and high-profile foreign policy concerns.

Imported Oil and U.S. National Security May 12, 2009

In this Congressional Briefing held on May 11, 2009, Keith Crane, director of the RAND Environment, Energy, and Economic Development Program, leads a discussion on the links between oil imports and U.S. national security.

What Constitutes an Effective Approach to Limiting Greenhouse Gases? Apr 14, 2009

In this Congressional Briefing, Michael Toman, former director of the RAND Environment, Energy, and Economic Development Program, moderates a discussion on greenhouse gases.

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